Envision a champagne that not only matures in the cellar but is also submerged into the depths of a bottomless ocean abyss, swayed by currents and caressed by the tranquil underwater realm for an entire year. Such is Abyss, the most daring and original cuvée from Leclerc-Briant, a true sensory adventure that takes the concept of terroir beyond the imaginable.
Following the passing of Pascal Leclerc, the fifth-generation representative of this historic house, Mark Nunnelly and Denise Dupré acquired the property in 2012 with the ambitious goal of positioning Leclerc-Briant among the great names of Champagne. And indeed, they have succeeded, for Abyss is a perfect example of how tradition and experimentation can brilliantly coexist.
The idea emerged after the discovery of a shipment of champagne in the Baltic Sea, over 170 years beneath the waves! Inspired by this find, the Maison, in collaboration with Amphoris, specialists in underwater exploration, decided to create a cuvée specifically designed to age on the seabed of Stiff Bay, east of the island of Ouessant in Brittany, France.
To achieve this, Hervé Jestin, the cellar master, meticulously selected vineyards with chalky subsoil that could harmonize with the marine environment. Chardonnay from Bisseuil, pinot noir from Avenay-Val-d’Or, and pinot meunier from Vrigny are combined in equal parts to create a balanced and precise blend. Following vinification, the bottles rest in the cellar for their second fermentation. Thereafter, the champagne embarks on its oceanic immersion for 12 months, where the stable temperature and movement of the currents impart a unique vivacity and complexity to the cuvée.
Leclerc Briant Abyss is a champagne without dosage, pure, intense, and full of character, where the earthly mingles with the ethereal and the marine. A unique sensory experience for a vintage that has enjoyed an underwater maturation!